Connector Secondary Locking Pin Tensile Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug connectors for printed circuit boards rely solely on a primary fuse for secure attachment, which may fail under tensile forces or vibration, and lack a secondary mechanism for additional holding force.
Innovation Solution
A plug connector design featuring a secondary fuse in the form of a locking pin that can be pre-locked on the contact carrier, providing additional holding force independent of the primary fuse, allowing secure attachment even if the primary fuse fails, and enabling higher tensile force resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only a primary fuse is used to secure the contact carrier to the printed circuit board, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and holding force under tensile forces and vibration are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The securing mechanism is segmented into two independent parts: a primary fuse (latching elements) and a secondary fuse (locking pin). The primary fuse provides initial securing, while the secondary fuse adds redundant holding force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and provides reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary fuse acts as a pre-prepared backup securing mechanism. Before any failure occurs, the secondary fuse is already in place and ready to provide additional holding force if the primary fuse fails under tensile forces or vibration, thus cushioning against potential failure.
2Reliability
If a secondary fuse independent of the primary fuse is added, then the reliability and resistance to tensile forces are improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary fuse (locking pin) is integrated into the same connector housing as the primary fuse, merging two securing functions into a single compact assembly. This reduces the overall space required and simplifies installation while maintaining independent operation of both fuses.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin serves multiple functions: it acts as a secondary securing mechanism, provides additional holding force under tensile loads, and can be designed with different geometries to accommodate various mounting scenarios. This multi-functionality justifies its inclusion despite increasing component count.
3Ease of manufacture
If the locking pin is made separately mountable, then the adaptability and ease of assembly are improved, but the ease of operation and risk of loss during transport increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin is pre-assembled and pre-positioned in the connector housing before the connector is installed on the printed circuit board. This preliminary action ensures the locking pin is already in place and properly oriented, eliminating the risk of loss during transport while still allowing separate mounting if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin is designed as an intermediary component that can be easily inserted and removed from a designated slot in the connector housing. This intermediary design allows for flexible assembly while preventing loss through a secure retention mechanism during normal handling.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Described and illustrated is a connector, in particular a direct connector for contacting contact openings of a printed circuit board, with a contact carrier which may have coding means, in particular coding pins and a reverse polarity protection, in particular in the form of polarity projections, with conductor insertion channels formed by the contact carrier for receiving connecting conductors and with contact recesses for receiving plug contacts, with a primary locking mechanism holding the contact carrier on the printed circuit board, in particular in the form of locking elements, wherein the contact carrier is provided with a secondary locking mechanism which secures the contact carrier to the printed circuit board in addition to the primary locking mechanism and can be handled independently of the primary locking mechanism.